Current Affairs and Media Critique

Before the coronavirus pandemic, it was already apparent that the world was facing significant challenges, some of which are transnational (sustainable development, guarantee access to clean water, terrorism, climate change, etc. Tackling these challenges requires a deep understanding of the issues at play, how they may be linked to one another, and the consequences they have. Media (including social media) play a central role in informing the public about what happens in the world and shape public opinion. Therefore, whether as a journalist, a communication practitioner, or a citizen, it is critical to learn how to think rationally and critically about the news in order to understand the challenges that the world faces - to properly fulfill our duties. That is the purpose of this seminar.

Students will be expected to read current news, to understand, through research, the underlying issues involved, and to develop their own opinions (as well as articulate them clearly).